Summary

These notes provide a quick reference for various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, seizures, meningitis, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors. Key aspects such as symptoms, risk factors, assessment techniques (e.g., Glasgow Coma Scale), and management strategies are outlined. Also covered are conditions like Myasthenia Gravis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, and Huntington's Disease.

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Neuro Seizures: Intracranial Pressure: when increased: -partial seizures: -altered LOC simple: focal, subjective experience -normal ICP: 0-15...

Neuro Seizures: Intracranial Pressure: when increased: -partial seizures: -altered LOC simple: focal, subjective experience -normal ICP: 0-15 complex: effects temporal lobe, loss of consciousness -s/s: cushings triad -limp, dazed, confused, lip smacking, drooling, etc. irregular RR -generalized seizures: BP (wide map) absence: brief loss of consciousness, no recall HR myoclonic: no loss of consciousness, no postictal phase, -other s/s: weakness, lethargy, headache, vomiting, vision brief contracture changes, behavioral changes tonic-colonic: loss of consciousness, incontinence, postictal -treat: phase lasts hours, tonic: rigid clonic: jerking IV mannitol atonic: a kinetic, head drop to fall hyperventilation -management: elevate head diagnose: CT, MRI, blood work, EEG drain extra fluid treat: antiepileptics, anticonvulsants craniotomy surgery: DBS, vagaries nerve stimulator Diagnostics: -complications: -PET status epilepticus: seizure activity 5 mins+ or 2+ seizures -cerebral angiography: xray w/ arterial contrast without recovery -electroencephalography -ABCs -lumbar puncture -ativan or versed (benzos), keppra or dilantin Glasgow Coma Scale: -last resort: propofol or phenobarbital coma Cephalalgia (Heeadache): -primary headache: no underlying cause tension (muscular), migraine (vascular), cluster (neuro) -secondary headache: underlying cause sinuses, ear, nose, mouth, referred pain, cervicogenic -management of primary HA: HA diary, blood test, CFS, imaging -treat: NSAIDs, underlying cause, triptans, anti-depressants Meningitis: -inflammation of meninges Alzheimer s: viral, fungal, bacterial -unknown cause -risk factors: -diagnosis made at autopsy viral: mumps, measles, herpes, west nile -assessment: fungal: sinus infection from certain fungus 1st: forgetfulness bacterial: otitis media, sinusitis difficulty with language -assessment: agnosia: difficulty processing sensory information opisthotonos: HTN of head w/ arching of back -common meds: aricept, exelon, razadyne, namenda headaches, altered mental status Seizures: phonophobia, dislikes bright lights -uncontrolled electrical discharges of neurons leading to N/V, pale skin, rash altered LOC systemic: high fever, seizures, stiff neck, difficulty walking -epilepsy: chronic recurring abnormal brain activity -diagnosis: -risk factors: spinal fluid collected, kernig s, brudzinski s fever, infection -treatment: hypogylcemia, hyponetremia broad spectrum antibiotics head trauma, brain tumor, stroke, hypoxia substance withdrawal, toxin exposure cessation of antiepileptic meds Encephalitis: Myasthenia Gravis: -acute inflammation of the brain (usually viral) -acquired autoimmune disorder -encephalomyelitis: when the inflammation includes the -muscle weakness that fluctuates brain and spinal cord -mild: ptosis (drooping eyelids), diplopia (double vision) -causes: HSV, enterovirus, rabies, tick borne viruses -severe: generalized weakness and respiratory involved -assessment: -assessment: symptoms of infection (fever) bulbar s/s: difficult phonation, chewing, swallowing neuro deficits ( LOC) CN IX, X, XI, XII -brain abscess (s/s): -management: frontal: aphasia, headache, seizures, hemiparesis (weak labs: serological testing (AChR antibodies) on one side of the body) receptive nerve stimulation ( muscle response) temporal: vision changes, facial weakness, headache, electromyography: needles put in muscle to measure receptive aphasia electrical activity cerebellar: ataxia (poor coordinat), nystagmus, headache tensilon test: give edrophonium IVP look for muscle tone -management: antivirals -atropine at bedside for reversal acyclovir, gancivlovir CT scan: thymoma -nursing considerations: -meds: watch for ICP pyridostigmine, neostigmine, immunotherapy watch for nuchal rigidity contradicted: CCBs, mag Brudzinski and Kernig sign Myasthenia Crisis vs Cholinergic Crisis: vitals ( HR, temp) -myasthenia crisis: exacerbation causing respiratory failure CN III, IV, VI (eye on one side will deviate; abnorm. pupil) caused by respiratory infection I&O treat: immunoglobulin or plasmapharesis -labs: -cholinergic crisis: due to excessive anticholinesterase meds CBC (antivirals effect blood count) -tensilon test to determine which it is LFT s (antivirals can cause hepatotoxicity) if pt shows muscle strength improvement: MS -nursing interventions: if pt shows fasciculations and muscle weakness: Choliner. HOB 30-45 degrees -assess: resp status, nutritional stat, dysarthria, dysphagia seizure precautions -interventions: encourage oral intake give meds before eating dim lights, calm environment elevate HOB turn q2 hr establish effective communication method stool softeners plan meals when meds are peaking; plan rest periods Multiple Sclerosis: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (BGS): -chronic, progressive, irreversible autoimmune disorder -acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy -unknown cause -occurs after an infection (GI/resp) leads to rapid paralysis -immune attack destroys myelin sheath, leading to campylobacter jejuni, cytomegalovirus, epstein-barr, demyelination, interrupting conduction mycoplasma pneumonia, hemophilius influenzae -risk factors: -3 stages: genetics, female 20-50 acute (4 weeks) -assessment: plateau (few days to weeks) radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) recovery clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) -assessment: symmetrical ascending motor weakness and -unilateral optic neuritis, focal s/s, partial myelopathy paralysis (from toes up) -pain, fatigue, tremors areflexia key finding -ataxia, bladder dysfunction, depression, spasticity -diagnosis: s/s, CSF has increased protein and normal cells -diagnostics: -treat: IV Ig, plasmapheresis-watch for septicemia labs: CSF analysis (protein and WBCs), CSF electrophoresis -assess: CN s, respiratory stat, motor and sensory, pain (increased T lymphocytes), increased immunoglobulin -interventions: reposition q2h, pain relief, VTE prevention procedures: MRI-plaques, evoked potential visual test Trigeminal Neuralgia: -interventions: no cure -pain disorder effecting whole face; risk factors: HTN, MS provide support and structure -assessment: sharp, shocking pain during ADLs w/ face goal: delay progression, manage chronic s/s, treat acute -manage: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, exacerbations baclofen, tegretol to risk of seizures Bells palsy: Huntington s Disease: -idiopathic facial paralysis; facial nerve involvement -chronic progressive disease of nervous system resulting in -causes: reactivation of herpes vesicles in and around the involuntary choreiform movement and dementia ear will proceed facial paralysis -assessment: -treat: corticosteroids, antivirals triad of s/s: -full recovery in 6 months in most pts -motor dysfunction: chorea, rapid jerky movements Brain Tumors: -cognitive impairment -space occupying lesions; ICP -behavioral features: apathy and blunted affect -slow growing; can be benign or malignant and aggressive -treat: optimize QOL, no cure -WHO classification: s/s management of chorea with tetrabenazine grade (I-IV) rate of growth cell behavior Muscular Dystrophy: Gliomas: -progressive muscle degeneration and weakness -cerebrum; grade I&II are slow growing -most common: duchenne and becker forms -anaplastic glioma: grade III -cause: genetic mutation leads to muscle atrophy -glioblastoma: grade IV; very aggressive and lethal Meningioma: -most common in females; in meninges; 90% benign Oligodendrogliomas: -cerebrum; slow growing; doesn t spread Acoustic Neuromas (Schwannomas): -originate from nerve protective coverings -slow growing; benign and don t spread -pituitary tumors: most common-adenoma (benign) -assessment: depends on location result from ICP -ha, changes in LOC, seizures, N/V -pupillary and vision changes - BP HR -cranial nerve palsies -management: surgery, chemo, radiation -complications: post op bleeding ICP, cerebral edema -diuretics, hyperventilation, elevate HOB, glucocorticoids seizures, VTE Parkinson s Disease (PD): -a progressive neurodegenerative disease of CNS -motor dysfunction -idiopathic, loss of dopamine-producing brain cells -diagnosis: made by progressive decline in motor function with tremors and rigidity -4 cardinal signs: resting tremors muscle rigidity bradykinesia/akinesia (loss of movement) postural instability (knees and hips bent) -management: cogentin, artane, mirapax, requip, sinemet -surgery: stereotactic pallidotomy -nursing conciderations: check gag/swallow; incontinence